AN: Greetings! Hope this chapter entertains as much as the rest have. I had fun with this one…hope you do too! Much love. – Razz

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Another Fine Mess

Chapter 7 – Leisure

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After the shocking news of the death of the Firstborn, life slowly returned to relative normalcy on the clan ship. Though the hunters and dignitaries were beside themselves with concern over the future of the clans, the servants, technicians and other workers on the enormous vessel paid the succession of their leader no mind. Such politics had little to no effect on their daily lives. To the lower echelon of Yautja society, he was just another Elite looking down his tusks at them, and the loss of one only meant his eventual replacement with another.

Though uninterested, they still found reason to engage in the rampant gossip that always flowed through the ranks aboard the vessel, and it was through this community that their sweeping opinions slowly developed cracks. Rumors surfaced of a dangerous rescue, unwavering loyalty, and surprising compassion from one who never gave the servants so much as a passing glance. The crews were initially skeptical, as was common when discussing gossip, but their quiet disbelief began to crumble as they encountered sullen technicians, a distraught pilot, and a short tempered healer.

Deep within the clan ship, Fh'zaan and Sin'kaj were assigned to overhaul the intake valves on the main reactor. The task would be mundane to the seasoned technicians, if not for the constant drone of gossip from their fellow engineers. Having never seen a human before, the concept of the Firstborn leaving his post for one was nearly unbelievable, and they thoughtlessly likened it to a mindless pet or pack animal.

"Oomans are thoughtless animals. I heard that the Firstborn was keeping it for a pet."

"Oomans are worthless creatures, even as a pet. Besides, I heard that he fought with Arbitrator Kh'val for it, and you have heard the rumors about his practices."

"So they both wanted it for a pet? Oomans carry disease, do they not? What good is an unhealthy pet?"

Across the platform beneath the starboard intake juncture, Fh'zaan was having difficulty attaching a suppression valve. His hands shook with restrained rage, and he wanted nothing more than to feed the valve to the arrogant engineers. Sin'kaj heard him snarl again as the techs unkindly referred to Kayla as a beast, and the apprentice huffed out a sigh as he turned to join the gossiping group. He nonchalantly squeezed past them for another scanner from the crate while the males debated the nutritional value of humans, and a quick glance at Fh'zaan's bristling crest made him open his mouth.

"I heard that the ooman nearly killed him, and that is why he went back for it."

The technicians snorted. "Impossible! No one could best the Firstborn in battle! His skill was unmatched!"

"Yes, and certainly no ooman could defeat him. Your hearing is failing, Sin'kaj."

The apprentice shrugged, though the gesture was foreign to the others. "Perhaps, though I cannot help but wonder…what if? The Code deems challenging prey as 'honored', which could explain why he went back."

The two technicians scoffed. "And what do you know of the Hunter's Code, Apprentice?" Sin'kaj shrugged again and returned to Fh'zaan, but they both heard rumblings from the others. The seed had been planted, and much to the master engineer's relief their derogatory discussion of the human had stopped. He turned to his second with grateful eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered. "I doubt that I would have maintained my composure for much longer."

Sin'kaj nodded. "I will hear no one speak of her that way…ever."

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In the docking bay, technicians bustled around the High Elder's vessel, baffled by the unusual damage but determined to complete repairs as quickly as possible. As chief pilot of the ship, Ti'nuk remained on board to oversee the operation and ensure that all configurations met with the High Elder's specifications. Though diligent in his work he remained distracted, both by memories of their journey and the careless words of the repair crew. As furious as they made him, he simply did not have the will to dispute their misguided beliefs.

"The clans will be in an uproar for some time, now that the Firstborn is dead," muttered an engineer from beneath the main console.

"The clans? You mean the Council. Why should the rest of us care? We have no say in their politics, so what difference does it make to us?" Technician Kesch grumbled as he passed along the conduction coils. "They will find a new heir without us, and he will do his duty regardless of our opinions. We might as well not exist."

Ti'nuk closed his eyes and tried to stifle a sigh, but Kesch heard it and drew the pilot into their discussion. "What about you, Ti'nuk? Ordinarily you would have plenty to say about the so-called 'Elites'. You are unusually silent."

The pilot hissed quietly, but a stronger part of his will took the opportunity to set the record straight. He faced the technicians, surprised at their rapt attention. "I admit that I have never had much respect for those of elite status. They always get the glory, yet we who support them are never acknowledged. I am used to it, and have never expected otherwise." He glanced away and tried to avoid revealing too much of the truth.

"The Firstborn thanked me, once."

The techs exchanged confused glances. "Thanked you? Why should that be of such importance?"

"Yes, even if they say the words, they never truly mean them."

Ti'nuk nodded. "Normally I would agree with you. No one has ever thanked me – as a simple pilot I have never expected it. But…he looked right at me, addressed me by name. His sincerity was obvious, and he honestly thanked me. Regardless of his attitude otherwise, I will always remember that single gesture – the only time my services have been acknowledged."

The pilot turned back to his console and resumed monitoring the sensor calibrations, but inwardly he grinned. The technicians had gone silent, and he was certain that they were contemplating his brief insight into the former Firstborn. He was by no means an authority, but after their wild adventure he had come to know Kh'aan on more amiable terms than he ever thought possible, and now considered their 'deceased' Firstborn a comrade if not a friend. Ti'nuk sighed as he remembered sitting around the fire, laughing and gorging themselves on a fresh kill.

Be safe, my friend. Stay far away.

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"That is disgusting, Te'kaas! Oomans are filthy creatures. Why would anyone want to mate with one?"

"You have seen the bioscans of some of the hunters and Arbitrators. You have noticed the subtle changes in their blood. No Yautja can hide mating with an ooman…any other species perhaps, but oomans imprint on our kind with their inferior genetics. You know it is not unheard of."

In the healer's guild, the usually silent medics could not contain their own speculations about the Firstborn and his pet, and their superior knowledge of humanoid biology fueled their wonder at such an unacceptable conclusion.

"I still say that it is disgusting! No self-respecting Yautja would soil themselves with an inferior species!"

"Well, perhaps he grew tired of waiting. Temptation is difficult to resist, especially under that level of stress."

"But still, I would not think him so foolish as to get caught. And why not seek out his own kind? The females were all eagerly awaiting the ascension of the Firstborn. Why take an ooman?"

"How dare you!"

The two healers gasped and turned shameful eyes to the door. Their aged mentor stood in barely restrained rage for one so old – his faded tresses bristling and breath coming in heavy snorts. The young males bowed in reverence, but Mr'aal saw past their false esteem.

"Be thankful that I do not inform the Grand Matron of your disgraceful gossiping this instant! The Firstborn was the most honorable Yautja the clans have ever produced. He would have made the finest High Elder our species has ever known, due to his UNWAVERING loyalty to the Code of the Council of Elders. To suggest that he would participate in such deplorable behavior is shameful."

Mr'aal held their eyes as he willed his temper to subside. He ran the risk of revealing too much, but he could not ignore their blatant disregard for Kh'aan's honor. The youngest apprentice bowed low in supplication while muttering apologies, but the other, an arrogant former hunter maimed on a hunt and forced to seek honor elsewhere, had enough bravado to pose further questions.

"If he was so honorable, why would he abandon his post and leave the clans, if not to mate with the ooman?"

The ancient healer growled quietly, loath to sully Kayla's honor, but even more unwilling to stain Kh'aan's name by giving their query any support.

"The Firstborn would have never considered such an act. He was well trained to uphold the honor of the clans. Even in his recent actions, I have no doubt that his intentions were honorable. You will end this tasteless debate now, lest your own honor come into question."

The healers averted their eyes and returned to work, leaving Mr'aal furious at their misguided audacity. As he left the room he offered a silent prayer for his friends. Paya forgive me. I meant no disrespect. Please protect them.

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Kayla huffed, boredom threatening to turn her into an unruly child. They had decided on a planet several hours ago, and after arriving and gathering their equipment for the hunt, had landed in a clearing deemed safe by the former Firstborn. Raring to go exploring after being cooped on the ship, she now found herself idly humming and braiding her hair while the hunter knelt a few feet away, deeply engrossed in a meditation exercise that he insisted was necessary.

"For what?" She'd asked impatiently. He'd glared at her before snorting. "For you. Be patient and sit down."

She estimated that two hours had passed while they sat in the kehrite, and now that her sole distraction was complete, impatience once again reared its ugly head. Come on, can we go now? What the hell are you doing?

Unknown to the human, her changing moods were setting off a myriad of scents and sensations around the hunter that he desperately needed to ignore. Having been in her company for some time now, Kh'aan was used to sensing, smelling and hearing her around, but never had his reactions been so strong. He was certain that his altered regard for her was behind his anxiety, and now forced himself to acclimate to her presence before they wandered off into the jungle. Chilly fingers slowed their progression of his spine as he centered his thoughts, utilizing an exercise that was made more difficult by the lack of an observation window on this ship. The expanse of space visible in his own kehrite was greatly missed, and Kh'aan was forced to create a replica behind his closed eyes.

At first, the vision appeared as an undulating haze of color blocking all other thoughts and impulses. He struggled to push the haze out of his consciousness, until realizing that it represented Kayla – pulsing with color as her scent changed beside him. Once he made that discovery, organizing his thoughts became infinitely easier and the mental map changed rapidly. He pushed the haze outward, gathering each individual point of his psyche as they were revealed and centering them in the bubble of color. Now, instead of the backdrop of open space, his mental blueprint was surrounded by a 'Kayla' sky. The hunter snorted at the thought of her invading him so completely, but he felt comforted rather than disturbed by it, and accepted the new configuration with ease.

His mental battle threatened to renew as the female shifted again, but Kh'aan forced out a deep breath and acknowledged the final piece to this haphazard puzzle. I have no reason to fear, nor be agitated by her presence. I need not panic out of concern for her, nor worry for the bond between us. She is already mine; I need only wait for her.

"A-hem."

The hunter snorted but said nothing.

"Don't ignore me, brat. Are we done? Can we go now?"

He debated ignoring her further, but her scent grew agitated as her heart rate increased. Resigned to comply, the hunter drew back from the exercise and slowly opened his eyes. As the unfamiliar kehrite came into focus, he turned his gaze to the female.

"You are impatien…" His words caught on a chirp when he spotted her hair. "What have you done?"

Kayla smirked, knotting the end of the last braid. She had tamed the rat's nest into tight cornrow braids against her scalp, and by Kh'aan's expression he was not happy. "You like it?"

He raised a hand and traced a talon down the strip of exposed skin on her skull. "No. Why did you do this?" He growled at the lack of strands to loop around his fingers.

"Hey, function before fashion. I was tired of looking like a jungle beast…I found three sticks you know. This way it stays out of my face and doesn't attract bugs." She shivered as he ran his talons between the rows again. His mandibles drooped into what she knew was a pout, and the marine grinned. "Don't be such a baby. If it's any consolation…that tickles."

Kh'aan's eyes shot to hers, and he hesitantly touched her scalp again. The marine winced but did not pull away, and he purred in spite of himself. Kayla noted the impish grin forming on his features, and quickly swatted his hand away from her head.

"Just…don't abuse the privilege, ok?" She heaved to her feet and headed for the door. "So can we go now?"

Silence met her inquiry, and she turned to see Kh'aan intently watching her exit. A chill traveled her spine, and the voice of madness piped up before she could edit herself. "Enjoying the view?"

Kh'aan shuddered as heat bloomed to obscure her. Playful pup. "Yes, I am."

He watched as she fidgeted with the skins that barely covered her body, and was thankful that the time spent meditating had not been in vain. After a moment the marine defiantly met his gaze.

"Come on, we're burning daylight."

The hunter's eyes trailed her out of the room before he rose to follow. Several urges made themselves known in an instant, but he reminded himself again to shut them up. Calm down…we can wait.

They made their way to the outer hatch and loaded up with their chosen weapons, having already suffered through the chore of facing the armory to pick them. Once fitted, they filed down the ramp and the hunter paused to synchronize his computer.

"Ok, we're here. Are you going to tell me what we're after?"

"It is a surprise," he muttered without looking up.

Kayla grunted. "So I'll find out when we're running? This isn't a game, you know."

Kh'aan chittered from behind his mask and started into the trees. "Yes, it is."

The marine stopped short with her mouth gaping, and then hurried forward to block his path. "Wait a minute, what's that supposed to mean?"

Pauk, will you not trust me? The hunter snarled and stepped over to a tree stump. When he sat down Kayla stepped forward, and she squeaked when he pulled her closer by her skirt. "I will not place you in danger. I would not have brought you here if I thought you could come to harm. Trust me for a short while longer. Can you do that?"

Vehement protest forced its way up the human's throat, but she swallowed it. His gaze was sincere if not a little mischievous, and the hunt had been her idea. She sighed before stepping out of his grip. "With my life, you know that. Let's go."

Kh'aan's mandibles spread into an ecstatic grin and he bounded to his feet. "Follow me."

He took off at a jog into the trees, and the marine modified her gait to keep him in sight without tiring herself. As they wove through the jungle she made note of their surroundings. The most eye-catching characteristic was the unusual coloring of the foliage. Leaves were varying shades of purple, with stems and trunks of deep mottled grey. Loud calls followed them through the trees as the native wildlife fled their approach, but the hunter seemed intent on speed rather than stealth.

Just as the marine wondered if they would simply run all day, Kh'aan abruptly leapt into the trees. He swung from branch to branch like some graceful alien gorilla, and she stopped in a huff to holler after him.

"Hey, I can't do that!"

"Follow me!"

Overgrown bear monkey lizard. Kayla snorted and continued along the rudimentary path. She angled her head to keep the hunter in her peripheral vision while still being able to see her surroundings, and was able to track him with little effort. The passing foliage caught her attention again, and she was wondering if any of it was edible just as the path came to an end. Skidding to a stop, she glanced down a surprisingly sheer drop of about thirty feet. The marine turned around and raised her eyes to scan the trees, but the hunter was nowhere to be found. She ventured deeper but as she opened her mouth to call for him, two thick arms suddenly wrapped around her, one hand across her stomach and the other over her mouth. Before she could protest she was hoisted into the trees, and a low purr rumbled through her back as Kh'aan set her down between his knees.

"Be silent," he hissed from behind the mask, and then choked on a snarl when she licked the palm of his hand.

Kayla chuckled when he quickly removed her muzzle, but then felt her skin grow hot as his hand settled on her thigh. "Um…what are we doing here?"

Kh'aan grinned at the change in her scent, and purposely left his hand against her skin while the other pointed out across the jungle. "Look down there."

The marine choked down her nerves and followed his direction. Beyond the cliff, a short valley of tall grass stretched along the banks of a small river. From this distance she spotted small figures hopping around a clearing by the water. Kayla squinted and then leaned forward, oblivious to the hunter's hands on her hips to keep her from falling.

"What are they?"

"Kouchou," he whispered, his newfound control straining against the glorious sight the human posed before him.

"Kouchou? What are they?" She crawled forward a little more, and Kh'aan finally pulled her back against his chest, unable to keep his hands still with her rump in the air. "And why do they look so small?"

"They are slightly larger in size than your 'smurfs'." He tightened his grip on her when she tried to lean forward again.

The marine let out a disgruntled huff. "Why are we always fighting micro-critters?"

"I thought you would like them." Kh'aan could not keep the disappointment from his voice, and Kayla immediately turned around to grip his face her hands.

"Hey, no pouting! They're great, ok, but what's the catch?"

Kh'aan's eyes held hers and for a moment the human forgot to breathe. Nervous at the sudden charge in the air, she released him and scooted across the branch to view the creatures. "You said this was a game. Explain."

The hunter closed his eyes for a moment and allowed his senses to take in her presence – the heady scent of fear and surprising arousal that flowed from her pores, the rapid pace of her heartbeat – and then he crawled forward on an adjacent branch.

"Kouchou would be harmless and little challenge, if not for a single ability. Study them; what do you see?"

He listened to the tap of her thin claws on the branch. "Small, thick legs, short arms, communal pack animals. Do they have six ears or are my eyes playing tricks?"

Kh'aan rumbled with pleasure at her astute observation. "Good. Most hunters would not ask. Yes, there are six. The largest at the rear are for sound. They can hear very well, which is why you must remain silent even from this distance. The pair in the front act as a type of echo location, allowing them to sense their surroundings; note the small eyes." The human nodded in acknowledgement but kept her eyes trained on the creatures.

"The small pair in the middle are their weapon."

Kayla's head snapped around, and her voice rose in disbelief. "Weapon?"

Kh'aan clamped a hand around her mouth and yanked her back against the tree. She struggled until his grip tightened, and then she slumped.

"Shooorrruuummfh"

He removed his hand. "What?"

"I said 'sorry'." Kayla shrugged and resumed her inquiry. "What do you mean, weapon?"

Before he could answer a chorus of squeals echoed from the valley. They turned to see dozens of little orange creatures tearing through the foliage in their direction, while others gathered by the river to hoot. Kayla winced.

"Damn…so much for stealth."

Kh'aan rose from his crouch while pulling her back against the tree. "As I said, the center ears are their weapon. When they cluster in groups, they are capable of altering your perception."

"Wait," Kayla wormed around the tree until she was beside rather than in front of him. "Like telepathy?"

The hunter nodded. "Yes, but only when they cluster. Avoid groups of them at all costs, and keep them from clustering if you can. As oomans say, this should be 'cake' for you."

"You say that now." The marine stretched her limbs one last time and scanned the valley. "Where'd they go?"

She glanced back, but Kh'aan's eyes were trained on the sky. "Did I mention that they jump very high?"

Kayla's eyes followed his, and she immediately ducked behind the tree. "INCOMING!"

The fugitives had barely enough time to ready weapons before the sky rained Kouchou imps on their heads. Kayla pulled two spiked disks from her belt and shook them open. Though she would never be able to use them properly as projectile weapons, they did serve well for melee in her skilled hands. She hooked them into the tree and worked her way down to a safe drop height, and then waited for the first critter to make a move.

Kh'aan tracked her down the tree as they were swarmed by Kouchou, and at the last moment absently raised his wristblades into the air, impaling three as they descended. "Three!"

The human's eyes snapped up to his as she kicked out at a jumping imp. "What?"

"The game," Kh'aan beheaded two more as they leapt from adjacent trees, "is to see who can kill the most. Five!"

"Augh! You cheater!" Kayla took a quick mental tally, growling when she realized she hadn't actually killed any yet.

The marine finally dropped to ground level and raced off into the trees, glad at least that these critters did not have poisoned claws. The Kouchou seemed to fit their name, making puffed sneezing sounds when they leapt into the air, and she quickly forgot the challenge in the midst of her fun. They were timid creatures in reality; rushing forward only to fall back if she so much as lunged at them. As she glanced back in Kh'aan's direction, she noticed a group of the beasts milling about beneath his tree, their ears swiveling rapidly as they focused on the hunter. Kayla skidded to a stop and rushed back, cartwheeling through the group before they could make use of their telepathy.

"Kh'aan, get down here! They're clustering around your tree."

A heavy thump sounded behind her, and the marine felt the whisper of his talons along her neck before he darted into the foliage. She shivered before throwing her head back to scream.

"CUT THAT OUT!"

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The battle raged for hours as the bright twin suns continued their trek across the sky. Occasionally a shout would echo through the trees, one fighter or another announcing their score over the sounds of combat. Both warriors were covered in bright yellow blood and scraps of purple leaves, and though they grew tired were having far too much fun to stop.

Kayla shook the remains of an arm from her 'claws' and turned to the imps, but the small pack of creatures were no longer interested in fighting. She'd killed enough of them for the danger to reach their simple minds, and they quickly raced for the cliff. Satisfied that she could take a breather, the marine casually chased them to the ridge while cleaning off her weapons. She stood in the bright sunlight to enjoy the rush of adrenaline, but a loud snarl met her ears on the wind. Kayla turned to the sound and was shocked to see Kh'aan dancing among a large group of Kouchou. He decimated their numbers with ease, but seemed ignorant to the cliff mere inches from his feet. He spun and leapt again, and the human nearly screamed when he pivoted on the very precipice of the ridge without care. She frantically scanned the trees, and quickly spotted a dozen of the imps standing a short way from the hunter. Their foremost ears were flattened against their heads, and the large rear set stretched out to the sides, linking each individual to its neighbor. The central ears appeared no different, but the creatures' eyes glowed bright green as they stared down her companion.

Kayla hurried toward the group, one eye on the hunter who she now knew was oblivious to the cliff. He might survive the drop, but she did not want to take that risk. Sneaking through the trees, she flanked the humming cluster and secured the disks in her hands. Taking a deep breath, the human howled at the top of her lungs and charged through the cluster, hacking at the imps as she passed and completely disrupting their concentration.

"Kh'aan! The cliff!"

The hunter suddenly stopped as a painful ache coursed through his brain. He spun around and was shocked to see how close he was to the ridge. C'jit, they managed to affect me. Kh'aan turned back to the Kouchou with a roar, and they scattered from his imposing figure as he stomped through their ranks. The imps apparently agreed with their brethren, and charged past him to leap down into the valley. Within moments they were gone, along with the group that had remained by the river.

Kayla shuffled over to her companion using a leaf to clean her weapons. "Well, I have to admit…that was fun!"

Kh'aan snatched away the leaf and wiped off his wristblades. "It is too bad that you lost."

"Say what?" The marine stomped in front of him and tapped his chest with a disk. "I don't think so, buddy! How many?"

Kh'aan snorted, puffing up a little with pride. "68"

Kayla scoffed and turned away with a wave of her hand. "Oh, you amateur. Sorry to burst your bubble, bucko, but I win!"

Kh'aan ripped off his mask and snapped around to gape at her. "You lie. How many?"

"Nope, honest to god truth, babe." She twirled among the corpses with a small grin on her face. "You would have won, really, if you didn't get caught by a cluster. I was at 59 before I hit those twelve. Or were there thirteen of the little buggers? Either way," she marched back to stare up into his mask. "I WIN!"

Kh'aan turned away, fury coursing through his frame as he clenched his fists. Pauk! No one has ever beaten me at Kouchou! Then again, a worthy mate should. Though one of the things he'd been avoiding thinking about, the thought drained his tension the moment it formed, and he spun around to bow reverently.

"I congratulate you. No one has ever beaten the Firstborn at Kouchou."

The marine mirrored his gesture, and then turned her back with a haughty sigh. "But of course! And now, since it was you who claimed that they were edible, and you lost, you will cook my dinner!"

"I AM NOT YOUR SERVANT!"

Kayla whirled around with wide eyes, but her apprehension faded at the comical attempt at rage on Kh'aan's features. Unwilling to concede just yet, she stepped into his personal space and gently grasped a tusk, pulling the hunter down to eye level. Though she tried to harden it, her voice came out a sultry purr. "No?"

Kh'aan growled, but her scent was unhinging him and he could not maintain his false anger. "Perhaps."

Fully enjoying the role, she released him with a snap of her fingers. "Then come along, Jeeves. There is much to do, and I require a bath."

Kayla marched off into the jungle only vaguely remembering the way back to the ship. After several minutes she wondered if Kh'aan was coming, and turned around to once again collide with his chest. "Dammit, would you STOP THAT!"

The hunter adjusted his grip on the sack of heads he'd collected, purposely whacking her with them. "No."

Kayla groaned, and then her eyes spotted the sack. "So, what's for dinner?"

Kh'aan chittered as he passed her. "Kouchou feska."

"And I know what that means?"

He turned and leaned down until his tusks grazed her ear, his voice a luscious baritone through her frame. "It is a hearty stew of minced brain and several spicy roots."

Kayla leapt back as though stung. "Brain stew? BRAIN STEW! Are you nuts?"

Kh'aan laughed at her grumbling. "It is good. You will like it."

"What part of Brain Stew do you think I'm going to like, huh?"

He refused to answer, instead taking the lead on their march. Every now and then he would hear Kayla grumble to herself, and her scent fluctuated erratically. Covertly he switched one eye of his mask to the rear sensors, and nearly stumbled when he caught her eyes fixed on him, or rather, traveling over him. Not wanting to disrupt her scrutiny, he focused on the path and tried not to block her view.

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Kayla followed Kh'aan back to the ship in a daze, though their dinner was the least of her worries. There is something seriously wrong with me. Besides denial? Dammit, NO! I am not in denial, ok? I'm just…confused. Her eyes trailed up to the hunter, accompanied by a lightshow of doubt across her thoughts. I'm a healthy adult woman…I've engaged in recreation before. Do we really want to think about Richards right now? Do you even remember that night?

The marine growled, that first night of freedom after a six-month siege not something she wanted made public. The POINT is that I am a soldier, or at least I was. Relations of any kind have been the most remote thing on my mind in at least ten years. So why am I acting like a teenager at a pep rally? The unbidden yet requested answer flashed before her eyes, making the soldier trip over her feet. Because we were reminded by a very rude awakening, that's why! Do you want Richards to be your last good time? On come on! So, what…because of his brother I can't look at him without hyperventilating? That makes no sense.

Her eyes rose from Kh'aan's footprints to the corresponding feet, and then lazily trailed higher as the sunlight danced across his skin. How can a solid wall of muscle appear so...so… Her palms began to sweat and a hum caught in her throat, and the marine once again tripped. Say it…say what we're thinking…say it!

"Goddammit!"

Her companion stopped, turning at her outburst in open curiosity. Kayla met his eyes, but her body heated so rapidly that she just knew that he knew what she was thinking about. He marched back until standing in her personal space, and then tucked a finger beneath her chin to hold her gaze.

"Is there a problem?"

Kayla shivered from head to toe, and was certain that he added a few extra rumbles to his voice on purpose, knowing that it turned her to jelly. She tried to appear indifferent but he was practically pulsating with heat in their proximity, and her trembling fingers latched onto her skirt in an effort to avoid touching him.

"No…nonono…don't mind me…I, um…" The female's eyes darted around them before reluctantly returning to his, and she felt a slight tremor through the claw beneath her chin. Just as her mind began to shut down, a sound passed them on the breeze that the marine desperately latched onto.

"What's that?"

Kh'aan hissed, slightly angry that she'd found a distraction. His hand dropped as she turned toward the sound of rushing water. "There is a waterfall through those trees. Come. I am hungry."

"Wait, a waterfall?" Sunshine burst through Kayla's storm clouds, and she skipped a few paces away before turning to him. "Come on! We're filthy! Do you want to track all of this goop all over the ship?"

Without waiting for an answer, the feisty marine darted into the trees leaving Kh'aan to snarl in frustration. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and then followed. The sound grew louder as he pushed through the foliage, and the plants suddenly opened to reveal a small lake. The waterfall crashed down into it from a high ridge that nearly blocked one of the two suns, and he assumed that the lake drained into underground tributaries. Though sight-seeing was not something he usually admitted to, the spot was one of the most serene that he'd seen in a long time.

A loud splash interrupted the hunter's musings, and his eyes shot down to see a cascade of ripples from the human's plunge. She broke the surface laughing, and Kh'aan smiled in spite of himself when she spotted him and her grin widened.

"Come on, old man! Race you to the ledge!" She pointed up the ridge to an outcropping beneath the waterfall.

Kh'aan contemplated wasting more time. We are still not safe. To be caught here off our guard would be unwise. It is too late to resist. She is soaking wet…go play. The thought sent a jolt through his body that erased all restraint, and the hunter carefully stashed their meal in a tree before making his way to the water.

The lake was surprisingly clear, and Kayla swam loops until she could not tell up from down. She stopped to tread water and peeked across the surface at her companion, and nearly choked at the spectacle going on less than four meters away. Kh'aan stood on the shore in half-silhouette, the twin suns glancing off of his body while he carefully removed his accoutrements. The human's toes absently reached down to trail across the lake bed, and she eagerly ogled the hunter's unintentional striptease. Oh sweet mother…breathe! Though it had been a while since he'd worn the armor and mesh, she was very thankful that he didn't have shimmy out of that fishnet. Then again, he'd probably leave it on. Christ! Stop it!

With such a feast before her eyes, the marine was thoroughly distracted when Kh'aan turned to the water. He noted her hungry gaze with much satisfaction, and stalked slowly into the lake making every movement ripple through his frame. Her scent was heavy even though completely immersed, and as much as he wished to prolong the torture, the aroma was about to reveal much more than she was ready to see. With a strained roar the hunter charged into the lake.

Kayla yelped and began swimming for the falls. She heard a loud splash and pushed her limbs to their limit, but other than the roar of the falls she could not hear a sound from her companion. She hazarded a glance over her shoulder, and at the same moment felt the rush of current beneath her. Incensed, the human swore and kicked harder. Fucker is a goddamn fish! She knew there was no chance to catch him, and her eyes scanned the shore for leverage. Off to the right she spotted what looked like a path climbing the ridge. Gotcha!

Kh'aan kicked beneath the falls and surfaced at the wall, a hearty chuckle escaping at Kayla's expense. Never challenge a Yautja to a race in water. He shook out his limbs and began to scale the ridge, but halfway up stopped to gauge her progress. He scanned the lake intently but could not make out her form, heat, or any other indication of her presence. Panic instantly surged through his veins, but it was just as quickly squashed when a blur surged across his peripheral vision. That little sneak! He resumed climbing with a vengeance, but knew that he had no chance to beat her to the ledge. As he heaved over the rim his eyes met hers, and then trailed downward in revenge. He chittered when she yelped and grasped at the skins.

"Would you cut that out? I swear I'm going to tie myself up in furs and look like a bear. No eye candy for you!"

Kayla's already racing pulse shot to frantic proportions as his eyes slid over her. She desperately wanted to hide from that penetrating gaze, but some deep-seated instinct kept her still, slowly relishing in his scrutiny. Her mouth ran dry when he rose to his feet, and the unhinged marine once again tripped over herself as she tried to step back.

When the human slipped Kh'aan lunged forward to catch her, but even his claws could not keep a grip on the wet stone. As her feet slid forward he latched onto her wrist, and then his feet slid through a patch of moss and Kayla grabbed his arm. Both hit the stone in a heap and tried for several comical minutes to stand, but each attempt landed them in moss that made the effort fruitless. They finally gave up amid a barrage of curses.

Kh'aan shifted to his side to gaze at the disheveled human, and slowly reached forward to brush a leaf from her shoulder. The female flinched and her wide eyes met his, her heartbeat thundering over the roar of the falls. He held her gaze until some of her tension lessened, and then very carefully reached for her hand. Kayla gasped at the touch, which turned into a whimper as he traced his tusks across her knuckles. He read her turmoil as though carved into her skin, and her lack of resistance elicited a hearty purr from his frame. "You cheated."

The marine felt electrified by his presence, and could not form a coherent sentence with his heat and touch overloading her senses. "N…no. I…I said r-race, I did…I didn't say 'how'."

Without warning Kh'aan lurched to his feet with Kayla gripped in his arms. The female's legs wrapped around his torso on instinct, but she proceeded to pummel him with her fists to no avail. "What the hell are you doing?"

The hunter carefully eased to the edge, willing his concentration to remain on his footing and not on her delicious limbs linked around him. "It is dishonorable to cheat. You should be punished."

"Punished? Are you out of your mi…"

The human's words were cut off by a scream as the hunter abruptly jumped into the falls. He gripped her tightly until they cleared the cascade, and then released her flailing limbs to drop into the lake. Kayla screamed obscenities all the way down, and the moment her head broke the surface she lunged for him.

"You fucking jerk! I'll fucking kill you! Get back here and get what's coming to you, asshole! Hold still goddammit!"

The laughing former Firstborn swam circles around her irate tantrum. "You must catch me first!"

Kayla howled in renewed vengeance, but her mission fizzled as the events of the day caught up with her exhausted body. She gave him the finger before swimming to shore and stretching out on a large rock. "I'm too damn tired."

Silence met her, along with the sensation of being watched. The marine groaned before opening tired eyes, and was shocked by bronze orbs mere inches from hers. How he'd left the water AND climbed over her without making a sound was infuriating, but the sensation faded to something else as his locks dripped water on her feverish skin. "What? Are you just going to stare at me?"

Kh'aan purred as ideas formed in his mind, but he pushed them down and leaned forward next to her ear. The human's heat flared until he could not tell who was more affected by their proximity, and he brushed his tusks down her throat in slow progression. Her scent blotted out all other input, and his voice was rough with need.

"Are you done? Can we go now? I am hungry."

The last word was more of a growl that traveled straight to the human's core, but she refused to give him the satisfaction, instead throwing earlier words back at him.

"You are impatient."

Their eyes met, and both realized the validity of that statement as their body heat skyrocketed. In a final act of defiance, Kayla shoved at his chest and rose from the rock.

"Fine, Jeeves. You may now prepare my evening meal."

Kh'aan snorted, rising to gather his equipment and the skulls while the human retrieved her weapons. The haughty expression had returned to her face, and as she marched by he bowed low in mock reverence. Kayla smirked and turned toward the path, not noticing the mischievous tilt to Kh'aan's mandibles. He tightened his grip on the sack and quickly asked Paya for forgiveness.

*SMACK!*

Kayla shrieked at the top of her lungs, and spun around in rage to see the hunter race away at top speed. "KH'AAN, I WILL KILL YOU!" She tore after him promising heinous suffering, the waning sun reflecting off of a large handprint taking shape on the back of her thigh.

**%%**